Fence module

ABSTRACT

A fence module includes a frame, multiple panels and multiple fasteners. The frame has multiple posts and multiple rails mounted at intervals on the posts. The panels are mounted on the frame between adjacent rails. The fasteners are mounted between the panels and the rails to attach the panels to the rails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a fence system, and more particularly to a modular fence system that is easy to assemble and disassemble.

2. Description of the Related Art

Construction sites often constitute a hazard to pedestrians so a fence is often erected around the construction site to limit pedestrian access and provide a measure of safety during construction. The conventional fence comprises a frame and multiple sheet-metal or wooden panels. The frame is constructed with posts and rails. The panels are mounted on the frame and connected to each other to form a continuous wall limiting access to the construction site from outside.

However, because the panels are connected to each other and form a continuous wall, the area inside the conventional fence is not visible to normal traffic. Undesirables can steal easily into the construction site to engage in illegal activities when construction is not in progress and the construction site is vacant. In addition, each panel is rather large and may blow down or deform easily under a strong wind, which is dangerous to nearby pedestrians. Attaching the panels to the frame is also inconvenient and needs a number of people. Furthermore, when part of a panel is deformed or rusted, the entire panel has to be changed, which is rather uneconomical.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a fence module to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a fence module that can be easily erected and assembled by a single person.

The fence module in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame, multiple panels and multiple fasteners. The frame has multiple posts and multiple rails mounted at intervals on the posts. The panels are mounted on the frame between adjacent rails. The fasteners are mounted between the panels and the rails to attach the panels to the rails.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of two first embodiments of a fence module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiments of the fence module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partially exploded perspective view of the first embodiments of the fence module in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view in partial section of the first embodiment of the fence module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of two second embodiments of a modular fence system in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an operational rear perspective view of the first embodiments of the fence module in FIG. 1 with lighting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, a fence module (1) in accordance with the present invention has a surface area and a wind resistance and comprises a frame (10), multiple panels (20, 20A), multiple optional gaps, multiple fasteners (30), multiple optional mounting members (40), multiple optional first fastening members (50) and multiple optional second fastening members (60). Multiple fence modules (1) can be combined to achieve a modular fence. The surface area and wind resistance of the fence module (1) result in a force being generated on the fence module (1).

The frame (10) comprises multiple posts (12) and multiple rails (11). Each post (12) has two ends and multiple optional mounting holes (120). The mounting holes (120) are formed in pairs through and along the post (12). The rails (11) are mounted at intervals on the posts (12) by welding or bolts, and each rail (11) has two ends, multiple mounting holes (110) and multiple fastening holes (111). The mounting holes (110) are formed in pairs through and along the rail (11) at each end of the rail and aligns with and is connected to a pair of mounting holes (120) in a corresponding post (12). The fastening holes (111) are formed in pairs through and along the rail (11)

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the panels (20, 20A) can be metal or plastic, can be manufactured by stamping or molding and are mounted on the frame (10) between adjacent rails (11). Each panel (20, 20A) comprises a faceplate (200, 200A) and a skirt (201). The faceplate (200, 200A) can be convex, may be printed or have decorative holes and has an edge. The printing on or decorative holes through faceplates (20A) may form a pattern or words representing the construction organization. With further reference to FIG. 6, lamps (50) mounted behind the fence module (1) shine through plastic panels (20, 20A), illuminate patterns and words on the panels (20A) and make the fence module (1) visible to pedestrians and drivers. The skirt (201) is formed on and protrudes back from the edge of the faceplate (200, 200A), is connected to adjacent rails (11) of the frame (10) and has multiple optional fastening holes (202) and a rear edge. The fastening holes (202) are formed through the skirt (201) and align with fastening holes (111) in the rails (11).

With further reference to FIG. 2, the gaps are formed between adjacent panels (20) to decrease the total continuous surface area and wind resistance of the fence module (1) and provide visual access through the fence module (1). Accordingly, the force generated by wind blowing on the fence modules (1) will be reduced, and the fence modules (1) will be significantly less susceptible to being knocked down or damaged easily.

The fasteners (30) attach the panels (20, 20A) to the rails (11), protrude perpendicularly from the rear edge of the skirt (201), may be L-shaped and may be formed on the rear edge of the skirt (201) and each fastener (30) comprises a transverse leg and a longitudinal leg. The transverse legs are attached to the skirts (201), and each transverse leg has a rear end and an optional fastening hole (300). The rear end is flush with the rear edge of the skirt (201). The fastening holes (300) in the transverse legs align respectively with the fastening holes (202) in the skirt (201). The longitudinal legs of the fasteners (30) extend perpendicularly from the rear edge of one of the skirt (201), are attached to the rails (11) and are attached respectively to the rear ends of the transverse legs, and each longitudinal leg has an optional fastening hole (301). The fastening holes (301) in the longitudinal legs align respectively with one of the fastening holes (111) in a corresponding rail (11). The fastening holes (301) in the longitudinal legs (11) may align with the mounting holes of the rails (11).

The mounting members (40) attach the rails (11) to the posts (12) and comprise a bolt and a nut or a rivet. To attach the rails (11) to the posts (12), the mounting elements (40) are extended through and mounted securely in aligned mounting holes (120, 110) in the posts (12) and the rails (11). The mounting members (50) may be extended through and mounted in aligned mounting holes (120, 110) and aligned fastening holes (301) in the longitudinal legs of the fasteners (30) to further attach the fasteners (30) and the rails (11) to the posts (12).

The first fastening members (50) attach the L-shaped fasteners (30) to the rails (11) and comprise a bolt and a nut or a rivet. To attach the L-shaped fasteners (30) to the rails (11), the first fastening elements (50) are extended through and mounted securely in aligned fastening holes (301, 111) in the longitudinal legs of the fasteners (30) and the rails (11).

The second fastening members (60) attach the L-shaped fasteners (30) to the skirt (201) of the panels (20, 20A) and comprise a bolt and a nut or a rivet. To attach the L-shaped fasteners (30) to the skirt (201) of the panels (20, 20A), the second fastening members (60) are extended through and mounted securely in aligned fastening holes (300, 202) in the transverse legs of the L-shaped fasteners (30) and the skirts (201) of the panels (20, 20A).

A modular fence system can be constituted by multiple fence modules (1) and each fence module (1) is adjacent to another to form a continuous wall around a construction site.

The fence module as described has the following advantages. The panels (20, 20A) can be mounted on the frame (10) in a modular way, and each panel (20, 20A) is small, so assembly of the fence module can be performed by a single person and is convenient and fast. When one panel (20, 20A) is damaged, only the damaged panel (20, 20A) has to be replaced. Consequently, repairing the fence module (1) is easy and economical.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A fence module having a frame having multiple posts; and multiple rails being mounted at intervals on the posts; multiple panels being mounted on the frame between adjacent rails, and each panel comprising a faceplate having an edge; and a skirt being formed on and protruding back from the edge, being connected to the adjacent rails and having a rear edge; and multiple fasteners being mounted between the panels and the rails to attach the panels to the rails and each fastener comprising a longitudinal leg protruding perpendicularly from the rear edge of one of the skirts.
 2. The fence module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the posts have multiple mounting holes formed through and along the posts; the rails have multiple mounting holes aligned respectively with the mounting holes in the posts; and multiple mounting members attach the rails to the posts, are extended through and mounted securely in the aligned mounting holes in the posts and the rails.
 3. The fence module as claimed in claim 2 further comprising multiple gaps formed between the panels.
 4. The fence module as claimed in claim 3, wherein each rail has multiple fastening holes; the longitudinal leg of each fastener has a fastening hole aligned with one of the fastening holes in a corresponding rail; and multiple first fastening members attach the fasteners to the rails, are extended through and mounted securely in the aligned fastening holes in the longitudinal legs of the fasteners and the rails.
 5. The fence module as claimed in claim 2, wherein each rail has multiple fastening holes; the longitudinal leg of each fastener has a fastening hole aligning with one of the fastening holes in a corresponding rail; and multiple first fastening members attach the fasteners to the rails, are extended through and mounted securely in the aligned fastening holes in the longitudinal legs of the fasteners and the rails.
 6. The fence module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fasteners are L-shaped and each fastener further comprises a transverse leg attached to a corresponding skirt; each transverse leg has a rear end flush with the rear edge of the corresponding skirt; and the transverse legs of the fasteners are attached respectively to the rear ends of the longitudinal legs.
 7. The fence module as claimed in claim 6, wherein the skirts of the panels further have multiple fastening holes; the transverse leg of each fastener has a fastening hole aligned with one of the fastening holes in a corresponding skirt; and multiple second fastening members attach the L-shaped fasteners to the skirts of the panels, are extended through and mounted securely in the aligned fastening holes in the skirt and transverse legs of the fasteners.
 8. The fence module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the faceplates of the panels are convex.
 9. The fence module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the faceplates of the panels further have decorative holes. 